Creamy Tomato Soup

Graham Cracker Cake

This is an all-purpose cake that's perfect for toting to school or work.
Recipe:Graham Cracker Cake

Jill Melton

Shakshuka

I discovered this dish on a trip to Israel. Versions of it were on every breakfast buffet. But the true shakshuka experience was at the famous Jaffa restaurant aptly named Dr. Shakshuka. This culinary hot spot resembles nothing less than a collision between a flea market and an outdoor eatery. Thousands of braziers hang from the ceiling, interspersed with other bric-a-brac.When the fridge is bare and the wallet's empty, this dish is a life-saver. Eggs are always there for me, along with canned tomatoes.
Recipe:Shakshuka

Jill Melton

Easy Chicken and Dumplings

My kids request this dish more than any other. It's embarrassingly easy. You can make the dumplings from scratch, but honestly, we like ones from Bisquick better.
Recipe:Easy Chicken and Dumplings

Mark Boughton/ styling: Teresa Blackburn

Three-Cheese Spinach Lasagna

If you're not a tomato fan, this "white" lasagna is for you. Perfect for dispensing to new neighbors and friends in need.
Recipe:Three-Cheese Spinach Lasagna

Mark Boughton/ styling: Teresa Blackburn

Italian Pot Roast

My kids are total carnivores, so this dish scores big. Perfect for meat and potatoes families.
Recipe:Italian Pot Roast

Mark Boughton/ styling: Teresa Blackburn

Winter Minestrone Soup

I always have a bag of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese rinds in the fridge and this is a great way to use them. The rinds steep in the vegetable soup and melt and flavor the soup, which gets more flavorful the longer it sits.
Recipe:http://www.relish.com/recipes/winter-minestrone-soup/

Karry Hosford

Beef and Onions Braised in Beer

I discovered this dish years ago in Julia's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. An inexpensive cut of beef, beer and seasonings mingle effortlessly for comfort food at its best.
Recipe:Beef and Onions Braised in Beer

Bakerella

Lemon Bars

This recipe is courtesy of Bakerella (aka Angie Dudley), the woman who brought us the "cake pop." Lemon bars are a bit of summer in the middle of the winter. We love them.
Recipe:Lemon Bars

Mark Boughton/ styling: Teresa Blackburn

Crock Pot Posole

This easy posole made in the Crock Pot shocked me. For a recipe that contains a jar of enchilada sauce and canned green chiles, it was unbelievably good. Start it on Saturday morning and eat great all weekend long. The kids will love it.
Recipe:Crock Pot Posole

Editor's January Picks

After the holidays I want what I call "monk" food - dishes that are clean, and homey and simple. This includes braises, soups and stews, perfect for cozying up with on the couch. Sip. Slurp. Savor.